Dead Man’s Descent Decides Stage 1 in Favour of Lill and Keller

A Historic Women’s Race Format

The UCI Women’s race saw an important structural change in 2026. For many years, the elite women raced the exact same distance as the men. This year the organisers introduced a new format designed to balance overall race time and improve broadcast coverage. The elite women started 24 kilometres into the stage, joining the course for the most demanding section of the route. From that point, they faced 66 kilometres of racing and 1,800 metres of climbing across the rocky climbs and technical descents of the Klein Karoo. The new structure created intense racing immediately.

The Leaders Take Control

Leading the women’s race after the prologue were South African star Candice Lill and Swiss Olympic cross-country champion Alessandra Keller riding for Thömus Maxon Sabi Sabi. Their main challengers included:

• Kate Courtney and Greta Seiwald (She Sends Foundation)
• Vera Looser and Rosa van Doorn (Buff-BH Efficient Infiniti)

As the women approached the first major climb of the day, Signal Hill, the orange jersey pairing began to apply pressure. Courtney and Seiwald held the wheels initially, while Looser and Van Doorn remained within striking distance.

Technical Skills Decide the Race

The race’s decisive moment came on Dead Man’s Descent, one of the most notorious downhills on the stage. Here Keller’s world-class cross-country technical skills shone. The Thömus Maxon Sabi Sabi pair flowed smoothly down the rocky descent, opening a 45-second gap over the chasing teams. Behind them the race for second place intensified.

Trouble for the Chasers

Courtney and Seiwald began to struggle with hydration and nutrition issues midway through the stage. The difficulties became apparent around the 40-kilometre mark, just as the riders hit the brutal climb known as “The Slog.” The steep, dusty farm road proved decisive. Looser and Van Doorn powered past the struggling She Sends Foundation duo, moving into second place. Although Courtney and Seiwald later regained some composure, the damage had been done.

Another Victory for the Orange Jerseys

Out front, Lill and Keller were untouchable. The pair rode smoothly and efficiently through the final kilometres, crossing the finish line in 2 hours 2 minutes to claim their second win of the race. Van Doorn and Looser finished just over a minute and a half later in second place, while Courtney and Seiwald fought back to secure third.

Women’s Stage 1 Results

1️⃣ Candice Lill / Alessandra Keller – Thömus Maxon Sabi Sabi
2️⃣ Rosa van Doorn / Vera Looser – Buff-BH Efficient Infiniti
3️⃣ Kate Courtney / Greta Seiwald – She Sends Foundation

The victory extended Lill and Keller’s overall lead to nearly three minutes, ensuring they will again wear the Orange Zebra leaders’ jersey when racing resumes tomorrow.